Automatic intermitter



June 23, 1931. I 5, JACKSQN 7 1,811,396

AUTOMATIC INTERMIT'TER Filed May 20. 1929 5Sheets-Sheet 1 June 23, 1931. s. JACKSQN 1,811,396

AUTOMATIC INTERMITTER Filed May 20. 1929 5 Sheats-Sheet '2 gwuentqc 5M C/cson (1H0: my

June 23, 1931.

S D. JACKSQN AUTOMATIC INTERMITTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 20. 1929 .18 .O- 4 n u no: a 0- gwwntoc 5D. Jackson.

W I dbkoamq s. D. JACKSON 1,811,396

AUTOMATIC INTERMITTER Filed May 20. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet I 4 Jung 23, l 931 gme'rito p 1: 50/1.

I. a/ w n June 23, 1931. s, JAKsON 1,811,396

AUTOMATIC INTERMITTER' Filed May 20, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5. D f1c lcson.

' Patented Jung 23, 1931 SHERMAN D. JACKSON, OF SEMINOLE, OKLAHOMA AUTOMATIC IN TERMI'ITER Application filed May 20, 1928. Serial No. 364,540.

This invention relates to new and useful im rovements in automatic intermitters.

ne object of the invention is to provide automatically operated means for. controlling the supply of air to individual oil wells, where a group of wells are being operated under the air lift system.

A particular object of the invention is to provide revolving means for operating individual controls for the air lines to a number of wells, whereby each well may be intermittently or periodically operated.

A further object of the invention is to'provide revolving'means for actuating individual air control valves together with fluid actuated means for intermittently imparting motion to said revolving means, whereby the 7 air supplied to the wells may also be used for operating said fluid actuated means.

Another object of the invention is to provide intermittently operated means carrying air-valve actuating elements so arranged that said elements maybe positioned tointermittently open predetermined valves or sustain said valves in open position for pcriods of predetermined duration.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means which will be entirely automatic in its 0 eration, whereby the supply of air to a num r of wells may be individually controlled and the supply'toeach well varied "and controlled without disturbin or conflicting with theair supply to each-o the other wells. i

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby anumber of wells emp'loying air lift operation may be individually operated at predetermined intervals of time or for predetermined periods of time.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will 'be more readily underv stood from a reading of the following specification and. by reference to the accompanying drawings in which an exampleof the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the invention,

. notch 21 at its Figure 2 is a plan view of the same, Figure 3 is a rear elevation, Figure 4 is an end elevation,

-gigure 5 is an'elevation of the opposite en P Figure 6 is a detail of the link and crank 60 arm for the'rotor, I

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oscillating tank,

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the same,

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 7,

Figure 10 is a'partial front elevation of the rotor,

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the rotor operator,

Figure 12 is a detail of oneof the operator dogs and parts, 7

Figure 13 is a sectional view of one corner of the rotor,

Figure 14 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of a portion of the device,

Figure 15 is a sectionalview showing one of the ilot valve plungers depressed to open the va ve,

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view of the trippin valve mechanism, and

Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of a typical installation of the device.

In the drawin s the numeral 10 designates 80 an upright meta frame of suitable construction. Brackets 11 are fastened upon lower cross bars 12 (Figures 4 and 5) at each end of the frame. The brackets carry bearing boxes 13 within the frame which receive the 85 trunnions 14.- of' the rotor 15 made in the form of a drum.

Suspended from the brackets under the rotor drum 15 (Figures 1, 3 and 10) is'a longitudinal pilot' valve block 16 (Figures 10 00 and 14); This'block has a plurality ofspaced vertical valve cylinders 17 preferably square in cross-section and each receiving a pilot valve 18,01 the plunger type. v

Eachcylinder has a reducingnip le 19 (Figure 14) secured in its bottom at t e underside of the block. Each nipple su ports a coiled spring 20 upon which thep unger of the cylinder rests. Eachglunger has 9.

upper end an a keeper 22 l the bevel 26 and comes to rest upon a rear Exhaust 19 (Figures 14) to the manifold. An air mounted on the block engages in said notch and limits the movement of the plunger.

The drum has a plurality of circumferential screw-threaded apertures 23 arranged in rows, each registering with one of the pilot valve plungers 18. Interchangeable studs 24 are screwed into someof the apertures and are provided with rounded heads 25 (F igures 13 and 14). The plungers 18 have their upper ends beveled at 26 on their front sides in the paths of the heads 25, so that as the drum 15 rotates the heads engage the beveled ends of said plungers and depress the plu'ngers (Figure 15). y

The head 25 of the stud 24 first rides over bevel 27 when the plunger is fully depressed and the drum stops. When the plunger 18 isdepressed the spring 20 is compressed so that when the head of the stud rides off the plunger, said spring restores the plunger to its closed position.

Below the block 16 a longitudinal air exhaust manifold 28 is supported in the frame. pipes 29 extend from the nipples header 30 (Figures 3, 4 and 14) is supported longitudinally at the rear of the frame and each cylinder 17 has individual connection with the header by way of a pipe 31, nipple 32 and port 33. In each cylinder 17 is a port 34 (Figure '15) opposite the port 33 and each plunger has a transverse port 35 registering with and connecting said ports when said plunger is depressed.

From each port 34 an individual air pipe v36 leads to a diaphragm valve 37 (Figure17) connected in the air supply pipe 38 which leads from the header 3,9 to the well. When a stud 24 releases a plunger 18 and the latter is elevated by its spring 20 the port 33 is closed and the air supply is cut ofl. Each plunger has an L-shaped duct 40- which registers with the port'34 and conducts the air entrapped in the valve 37 and pipe 36 to the bottom of the cylinder 17, from which it escapes byway of the pipe 29 to the manifold 28. thus releasing the valve 37 and cutting ofl the air supply to the well.

An air supply pipe 41 is connected to a conducting pipe 42 extending across one end of the frame 10. In the pipe 42 (Figure 4) is connected a pressure reducing regulator 43, whereby the air delivered by the pipe 41 is reduced to a pressure of about fifteen (15) pounds, more or less as may be desired. The pipe 42 is connected with a pressure gage 44 (Figure 1) connects with the air header 30. By this arrangement the air header is supplied with compressed air at a pressure of about fifteen (15) pounds for operating the device.

On top' of the frame and at the center thereof front and rear bearing boxes 47 are secured; These boxes receive the front and by a pipe 45, while a pipe 46 .A

rear trunnions 48 and 49 respectively, of an oscillating tank 50. This tank is formed with compartments'A and B respectively, at each end, as is best shown in Figure 7 By placing a quantity of water, or other liquid,

.in one of the compartments of the tank, the

latter is overbalancedand caused to swing.

The frame 10 has cushioned stops 51 at each end carried upon upper cross bars 52 (Figures 4 and 5), and as the tank swings or oscillates it comes to rest alternately on said stops.

Water conducting pipes 52' (Figure 7) extend from the compartments and are connected to amanifold 53 on top of the tank.

.The manifold is provided on opposite sides with hand regulating valves 54 and opposite each regulating valve is a check valve 55 (Figure 2). An air manifold 56 is provided for each compartment and is connected to opposite ends thereof (Figures 1, 2 and so as to quickly introduce air into said com- 'partment.

On the front of the frame and at the top central portion thereof I provide tappet valve blocks 57. As, is shown in F 1gure 16, each block has a longitudinal cylinder 58 provided with opposite ports 59 and 60.

The ports 59 have nipples 61.- From each nipple 61 a flexible hose 62 (Figures 1, 2 and 16) extends to one of the air manifolds 56. As is shown in Figure 1, the right hand block 57 is connected with the left hand manifold 56, which is connected to the compartment 'B; while the left hand block 57 is connected nion 48 alternately engages the ends of the valves which, being connected by the yoke, are caused to reciprocate. Each valve 63 has a transverse port 66 adapted to register with the ports 59 and 60 when the valves are shifted. Each valve has a notch 67 engaged bya keeper 68, whereby the movement or throw of the valve is controlled. Branch pipes 69 are connected to the ports 60 and these in turn are connected to a pipe 70 (F igure 1) leading to the air header 30. A pressure reducing regulator 71 (Figure 5) is connected in the pipe 70 for reducing the pressure to about one 1) pound, which is all that is required to operate the oscillating tank. pressure gage 72 is connected with the pipe 70 between the regulator and the pipes 69.

Each valve block 57 has an exhaust port 73 lea-din; from the outer end of its cylinder 58. Pipes 74 connected with the ports 73 conduct the exhaust air to the manifold 28. By observing Figure 16 it will be seen that the right hand valve 63 is positioned so i as to connect the ports 59 and 60 and thus supply air from the header 30 to the left hand compartment B, whereas the left hand valve 63 is positioned to cut oil the port 60 and to register an L-shaped duct 75 with the port 59. This arrangement permits the air from the compartment A to exhaust through the port 73 and pipe 74 to the manifold -28.

Assumin the tank 50 tobe in the position shown in Figure 1, the valve will be in the position shown in Figure 16, consequently air from the header 30 conducted by the pipe 7 70 will pass through the ports 59 and 60 of the right hand'block 57 and by way of the pipe 62 to the air manifold 56 of the compartment B. The compartment B being tilted down, of course contains the greater quantity of liquid and the admission of air under pressure will force the liquid out of the compartment B by way of the pipe 52 through the manifold 53 and thence by the other pipe 52 into the compartment A. As soon as the greater quantity of water is delivered to the compartment A, the tank will over-balance and swing to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, whereby the tappet valves will be shifted and the operation reversed.

The trunnion 49 on the rear side of the drum, as is shown in Figure 3, has a crank arm 76 fastened thereon; The crank arm is connected by a link 77 (Figures 2, 3 and 4) with a crank arm 78 fastened on the upper end of a vertical crank shaft 79 suitably journaled in the frame. The shaft 79 has an arm 80 fastened thereon, as is best shown in Figure 3.

The arm 80 is pivoted to the outer end of a lever 81 (Figure 11) which has a slot 82 at its'inner end through which one of the trunnions 14 of the drum 15 passes. Vertical arms 83 have their inner ends pivoted on the trunnion 14 and each is pivotally connected with the lever 81 by alink 84. Each arm has at its outer end a pivoted dog 85 .(Figure 12) held in engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel '86 by a spring 87.

The ratchet wheel is fastened to one end of the drum 15 and the dogs are oppositely directed, as is shown in Figure 11. It will be seen that when the oscillating tank 50 'is swung the link 77 will be reciprocated by the. arm 76, whereby the shaft 79 will be rocked and the arm -swung. The swinging of the arm '80 will reciprocate the lever 81 which Wlll. cause the arms 83 to swing, as 15 indi cated in Figure 11. It is obvious that when the lever 81 is moved toward the trunnion 14 the arms 83 will be moved to the dotted line position shown .in Figure 1, whereby the lower dog will rotate the ratchet wheel 86 and upon the reverse movement of the lever 81 the upper dog will rotate the ratchet in the same direction.

vided with sixty (60) teeth and each' row has sixty (60) apertures 23 and the tank 50 is so regulated-by the valves 54 to oscillate once each minute,it is obvious that by positioning one stud a pilot valve 18 may be opened for one minute and then closed for a selected period until a successive stud engages the valve. By providing five (5) studs 24 successively,

the valve which they engage will be held open I for five minutes and will remain closed until the next stud approaches.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by 7 setting the studs at each individual pilot valve 18 the opening and closing thereof may be predetermined and not only the intervals at which it is opened but the periods for which it is held open may be controlled. The speed of rotation of the drum 15, of course can be varied and the number'ofteeth and apertures can likewise be varied.

It is not believed necessary to give a detailed description of the operation except to say that the pipe 41 which supplied air is connected with a pipe 88, Which) conducts air from the air compressor to the header 39. When one of the pilot valves 18 is opened, as is shown in Figure 15, air from the header 30 is conducted by the pipes 31 and 36 to the diaphragm valve 37 with which it is connected, whereby the air valve is opened to permit air to pass from the header 39 through the pipe 38 to the particular Well which is to be operated.

So long as water or other liquid is maintained in the tank 50 and air is supplied the operation of the 'device is entirely automatic. The studs 24 are readily inter-changeable and .their heads 25 are of such size that when one rides off a valve 18 the next one engages the face 26 and holds the valve open. Studs may be arranged in groups or spaced apart and a well thus pumped to the best advantage.

It is pointed-out that compressed gas or any other fluid suitable for the purpose may be used in operating the device and frequently compressed gas is used for flowing wells. The

invention is not to be limited to the source of supply of the fluid for operating the inter- .mitter, because one type of fluid may be used for operating the wells and another type of fluid may be used for operating the intermitter.

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts, as well as modifications and alterations, may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim, is: 1. In an intermitter for controlling fluid I pressure, a fluid valve for supplying such pressure at each of a plurality of points of use, fluid lines connected to said valves for individually operating the same, means for individually controllingthe supply of compressed fluid to said lines, and movable means for periodically operating saidfluid line controlling means, said movable means including adjustable elements for selectively varying I the 0 ening period of each fluid line.

2. 11 an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a fluid valve for supplying such pressure at each of a plurality of points of use, fluid lines connected to said valves for individually operating the same, means for individually controlling the supply of compressed fluid to said lines, movable means for selectively varying the period of flow through pressed fluid to said lines, movable means for periodically opera-ting said fluid line controlling means, said movable means including adjustable elements for selectively varying the operating period of each fluid line controlling means individually to open each fluid line at predetermined intervals for predetermined periods of time, and means for intermittently operating the movable means.

'4. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a fluid valve for supplying such pressure at each of a plurality of points of use, fluid lines connected to said valves for individually operating the same, means for individually controlling the-supply of compressed fluid to said lines, movable means for periodically operating said fluid line controlling means, said movable means including adjustable elements for selectively varying the operating period of each fluid line controlling meansindividually to open each fluid line at predetermined intervals for predetermined periods of time,and means automatioally operated for intermittently operating the movable means.

5. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, compressed fluid supply pipes leading to individual points of use, fluid operated valves connected to said supply pipes, compressed fluid lines leading to said valves to supply fluid to operate the same, individual fluid supplies for each line, a cylinder having peripherally adjustable means for individually varying the flow of each of said fluid supplies, actuating means for said movable means including an intermittently operated actuator, and means for alternately supplying compressed fluid to said actuator to operate it.

6. In an intermitter. for controlling fluid pressure, compressed fluid supply pipes leading'to individual points of use, fluid operated valves connected to said supply pipes, compressed fluid lines leading to said valves to supply fluidto operate the same, individual fluid supplies for each line, movable means for individually operating said fluid sup-.

plies, actuating means for said movable means including an oscillating liquid container connected with said movable means, and means for supplying compressed fluid to said container to displace said liquid from one end of the container to the other end to cause said container to move and actuate said movable means.

7. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves each having individual connection with a source of compressed fluid supply, fluid lines leading individually from said valves to individual fluid controls for points of use, and movable means for individually varying. the open period of each pilot valve to connect its fluid supply to its fluid line.

8. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves each having individual connection with a source of compressed fluid supply, fluid lines leading individually from said valves to individual fluid controls for points of use, movable means for individually operating each pilot valve to connect its fluid supply to its fluid line, and elements on the movable means for operating each valve at selectively variable time intervals.

9. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves, means for individually supplying compressed fluid to the valves, fluid lines leading from the valves for connectionwith the fluid controls p of the individual points of use, and rotatable means periodically and individually operating each of said valves for selectively variable periods of time.

10. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves, means for individually. supplying compressed fluid to the valves, fluid lines leading from the valves for connection with the fluid controls of individual points of use, rotatable means for operating said valves, means for imparting rotation to said rotatable means, an oscillating member containing a shifting liquid .body for actuating said operating means,

and means controlled by said member for ap plying fluid pressure at difi'erent portions of said body.

11. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves, means for individually supplying compressed fluid to the valves, fluid lines leading from the valves for connection with the fluid controls a of individual points of use, rotatable means I for operating said valves, means for imparttaining a liquid, a connection between said oscillator compartments for conducting said liquid from one-compartment to the other, and means operated by the oscillator for alternately supplying compressed fluid to the compartments of said oscillator, whereby liquid is alternately displaced from one compartment to the other to overbalance the oscillator and to cause it to oscillate.

12. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves, means for individually supplying compressed fluid to said Valves, fluid linesleading from the valves for connection with the fluid controls of individual points of use, and a rotor having circumferential rows of apertures, and

- 'studsadjustably disposed in. said apertures for operating said valves, the apertures being arranged so that a plurality of studs may be grouped for continuous operation of 1ndividual valves and also whereby said studs may be spaced apart for intermittent operation of individual Valves.

13. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves for controlling the supply of compressed fluid to individual points of use, a rotor having means for individually operating said fluid valves, an oscillator, an .operatin connection between the oscillator and t e rotor, tappet valves connected with the oscillator for controlling the supply of compressed fluid thereto, and means connected with the oscillator for operatin said tappet valves.

14. In an mtermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves for controlling the supply of compressed fluid to individual points of use, a rotor having means for individually operating said fluid valves,

4 an oscillating tank having compartments on each side of its fulcrum for containing a liquid, pipeconnections extending from one compartment to the other including regulating valves, whereby the flow of liquid from one compartment to the other may be regulated, operating connections between the tank and the rotor, tappet valves having connections with the compartments of the tank for supplying compressed fluid thereto to displace the liquid from one compartment to the other, means for supplying compressed fluid to the tapp'et valves, and means op erated by the oscillation of the tank for operating said tappet valves. A v,

15. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a frame, a fluid header earned by the frame, means for supplying compressed fluid-to the header, a pluralitypf pilot valves individually connected with said header, flu1d lines leading from the pilot valves for con nection with the fluid controls of individual points of use, a rotor journaled in the frame reducing the pressure of said conducted fluid. I

16. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves, means for supplying compressed fluid-to said valves, fluid lines leading from the pilot valves for connection with the fluid controls of individual points of use, a rotatable drum having studs thereon for operating said pilot valves, ratchet means for intermittently opcrating said drum, an oscillating tank fulcrumed adjacent the rotor, and means actuated by the oscillating tank for operating the ratchet means.

17. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a plurality of pilot valves, means for supplying compressed fluid to said valves, fluid lines leading from the pilot valves for connection with the fluid controls of individual points of use, a rotatable drum havmg studs thereon for operating said pilot valves, ratchet means for intermittently operating said drum, an oscillating tank fulcrumed adjacent the rotor, means actuated by the oscillating tank for operating the ratchet means, said tank having connected liquid containing compartments on each side of its fulcrum, means for supplying compressed fluid to the tank compartments for alternately dis lacing the liquid from one to the other an including controlling valves, and means operated by the tank for alternately operating said fluid controlled valves.

18. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressure, a rotor having circumferentially disposed studs, a pilot valve block, spring pressedpilot valves'mounted in said block,

means for conducting compressed fluid to the block, individual means for conducting compressed fluid from each valve to individual points of use, each valve having a passage for connecting the fluid supply means with the fluid conducting means normally closed, each valve having its upper end bevelled for receiving one ofthe studs of the rotor whereby said valve is displaced, and means for intermittently operatlng the rotor.

19. In an intermitter for controlling fluid pressures, an upright frame, a rotatable drum mounted in the frame, a compressed fluid header carried by the frame, means for supplying compressed fluid to said header, a pi ot valve block carried by the frame adjacent the drum, said drum having circumferential rows of apertures, interchangeable studs mounted in the apertures of the drum, means for supplying compressed fluid from the header to the block, fluid lines leading from the block for connection with the fluid controls of individual points of use, pilot valves mounted in the block inthe path of the studs, arranged to supply compressed fluid from the header to the fluid lines when 10 depressed, an exhaust manifold carried b the frame and connected with the pilot bloc for receivingithe exhaust fluid from the fluid lines when the pilot valves are released by the studs.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

- SHERMAN D. JACKSON 1 

